David Filner assumed the administrative leadership of the San Antonio Symphony in November, 2012. Led by Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing, the San Antonio Symphony is celebrating its 73rd year this season.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

Symphony on KPAC this Sunday

This Sunday, Texas Public Radio continues their series of afternoon broadcasts of the San Antonio Symphony’s 2009-2010 Classics series. The next broadcast is Sunday at 2 p.m. on KPAC & KTXI.

This concert had two major romantic blockbusters: Richard Strauss’ Don Juan and Dvo?ák’s Symphony No. 8. Both show off the orchestra, but in completely different ways. Don Juan is the ultimate in virtuosity. Almost every professional orchestra audition uses it to test the technical skills of applicants. The Dvo?ák symphony is cheerful and derives much of its thematic material from Bohemian folk music. Its challenge is to play it sensitively and romantically and NOT sound virtuosic.

The concert was conducted by Maestro Jean-Marie Zeitouni and he is returning to guest conduct the Symphony at the beginning of April in a fascinating program.

April 1 & 2, 2011

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor

Robert McDuffie, violin

Gabrieli Canzon

Glass Violin Concerto No. 2, “The American Four Seasons”

Rameau Suite from Naïs

Stravinsky Concerto in E-flat, “Dumbarton Oaks”

Handel Royal Fireworks Music

The Glass concerto is brand new and was commissioned by Robert McDuffie, one of the finest American violinists playing today. The rest of the program is made up of works for smaller ensembles. This is quite different than most of our concerts, which focus primarily on the romantic era. Already two of our musicians have told me that they can’t wait to play this program because it is so different.

Zeitouni has emerged as one of Canada’s brightest young conductors whose eloquent yet fiery style in repertoire ranging from Baroque to contemporary music results in regular re-engagements across Canada and the United States. Over the years, he has led Les Violon du Roy, a chamber orchestra based in Québec City, in more than 100 performances in the province of Québec, across Canada and in Mexico. Jean-Marie Zeitouni graduated from the Montreal Conservatory in conducting, percussion and theory.